A Small Light at the Mouth of Eggemoggin Reach
Pumpkin Island Light is a compact, postcard-pretty lighthouse on a tiny island just off the northern tip of Little Deer Isle. It marks the northwestern entrance to Eggemoggin Reach, the long channel that runs between Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Bay and separates the mainland from Deer Isle. The light is close enough to shore that you can see it clearly from land, framed by the spruce and the open water of the Reach, which makes it one of the more accessible photo stops in this part of Downeast Maine.
The station was built in 1854 and entered service the following year to help ships work the busy Reach. The little white tower stands about 25 feet, with the light around 22 feet up from its base. The federal government discontinued the light in 1933, sold the station, and it has been in private hands ever since. Today it is a private home, so this is strictly a view-from-shore lighthouse rather than a place you can land or tour.
Visiting and Viewing
Because the island is private, the way to enjoy Pumpkin Island Light is from the end of Eggemoggin Road on Little Deer Isle. After you cross onto the island, turn onto Eggemoggin Road and follow it roughly 2.6 miles to where it ends near the water. There is a small landing with a few parking spots, and from there the lighthouse sits just offshore in clear view. A sign marks where the private path begins, so respect it and do not go past the public viewing area.
It is a short, simple stop, not a hike, and it works year-round since the view is from public road’s end. The light is small but charming, and the setting on the Reach, with sailboats passing in season and the wooded shores of Deer Isle beyond, is the real reward.
Wildlife & bird watching
The viewing landing at the end of Eggemoggin Road is small, with only a handful of parking spots, and it sits among private homes. Keep it quick and courteous, do not block driveways, and respect the private-path sign. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to make the most of the offshore view.
Getting There
Little Deer Isle is reached from the Blue Hill peninsula. From Route 15 south toward Deer Isle and Stonington, you cross the Eggemoggin Reach suspension bridge onto Little Deer Isle. Soon after the causeway, turn onto Eggemoggin Road and follow it about 2.6 miles to its end at the small viewing landing. From Bangor the drive is around an hour and a quarter; from Portland, plan on roughly three and a quarter hours.
The road narrows as it nears the end and runs past private homes, so drive slowly and park only in the marked spots at the landing.
When to Visit
Spring
The shore view is open year-round, and spring is quiet with clear air over the Reach. Roadside parking is easy before summer traffic.
Summer
Warm weather and the most sailboat traffic on Eggemoggin Reach, which makes the offshore scene the liveliest. The small landing fills, so come early.
Fall
Foliage on the Deer Isle shores and crisp, clear light. Fewer visitors at the landing and excellent conditions for photography.
Winter
The view stays open, but the road's end is cold and bare and the landing may be snowy. A quick, bracing stop only.
Summer and fall give the prettiest scenes, with boats on the Reach and good light, though the view itself is available in any season.
Packing List
Pumpkin Island Light Visit
- Binoculars or a zoom lens for the offshore view
- Camera
- A windbreaker (the road's end is exposed)
- Comfortable shoes
- Respect for the private-path sign and the neighbors
- A full tank, since services are thin out the peninsula
FAQ
Can you visit Pumpkin Island Light?
Not the island itself. Pumpkin Island Light is a private home and is not open to the public. You view it from shore at the end of Eggemoggin Road on Little Deer Isle, where there is a small public landing.
Where do you see Pumpkin Island Light from?
From the landing at the end of Eggemoggin Road on Little Deer Isle. Follow the road about 2.6 miles to where it ends near the water, and the lighthouse is just offshore in clear view. Respect the private-path sign.
When was Pumpkin Island Light built?
It was built in 1854 and entered service in 1855 to mark Eggemoggin Reach. The light was discontinued in 1933 and sold, and it has been privately owned since.
Is there parking to view Pumpkin Island Light?
There are a few parking spots at the small landing at the end of Eggemoggin Road. It is tight and sits among private homes, so keep your visit brief and do not block driveways.
Can you see the lighthouse year-round?
Yes. The view is from a public road's end, so you can see Pumpkin Island Light in any season, though the landing can be snowy and exposed in winter.
Continue down the peninsula to the quarry-town of Stonington or take in the bay views from Settlement Quarry Preserve on Deer Isle.
